A note on clay: Crayola Air Dry Clay feels just like the clay you throw pots on, and my kids were enthralled by the texture. So unlike play dough, and it has the potential to make long-lasting objects.

Steps

Cover your work surface with a vinyl tablecloth or work on a non-precious surface that easily wipes clean.

If you’re making a Hanukkiah (it holds nine candles, rather than seven), talk about the story of Chanukah and how the Chanukah menorah has eight candles + 1, the shamash, to represent the miracle that oil burned continuously for eight days. I like this kid-friendly version of the Hanukkah Story.

Set up clay, water, and clay tools.

Invite your child/ren to make menorahs. Encourage creativity and original thinking.

How we made our DIY Menorahs

We looked at a metal Hanukkiah for inspiration, and talked about its shape and function.

We rolled out some clay and I invited my preschool daughter to poke holes in it with a menorah candle. Menorahs hold nine candles, eight for the eight nights of Hanukkah, and a ninth called the shamash (meaning “attendant”) that lights the other candles.

My toddler joined the fun, too! She’s been copying everything her sister does, and after seeing this magic, I wished I had given her a bigger piece of clay to play with.

3. To make room for the shamash, we decided to build a little mound by making a ball of clay, scoring both sides of where it would connect with hatch marks, and then pressing the pieces together.

4. We used a little water and a popsicle stick to smooth out the edges. I read that if there are cracks in this clay it can fall apart once dry, so we were sure to smooth all those cracks right out with water.

5. N decided to use a wooden stick to poke a pattern of holes all over the menorah.

6. She added a hole for the shamash.

My little one was happy to play with a small pot of water and the goopy clay.

Comments

At our house, we celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas, so it is really nice to see a Hanukkah craft! I had not thought about making a menorah, so thanks for the great idea! Not sure if I want to fight the crowds to buy some clay, so maybe I will try the salt dough. I’ll let you know how it goes!

I think that’s the same one, Anne! Morrisons. I’ve never been and it was *dangerous* walking through the aisles with my kids. My 3 year old wanted everything, and my 15 month old was thrilled to wander around and pull things off the shelves. Oh, and after spending $$, we finally headed home! My local favorites are RAFT and now Morrisons. Where do you shop?

Now that there aren’t any little ones at home, we try to get as many friends and family as possible (even little ones) to help deliver food baskets and gifts to needy families through our local police & fire departments. Â It’s a good lesson for all of us and the kids’ eyes (both those helping and those receiving) is a sight to behold. Â BTW, I enjoyed the HanukkahÂ menorah craft. Â It would make for a wonderful teaching moment — for all of us. Â Thanks.

Hi Wendy,
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear that your menorah cracked 🙁 I haven’t tested this solution, so I can’t say for certain if that will work. The great thing about air dry clay is that you can revive dry clay with water. My best advice is to make a slurry of clay (mix water into clay and turn it into a paste), and then use this to attach the pieces back together. Happy Chanukah!
Rachelle